School of Charm - Hardcover

Scott, Lisa Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006220758X ISBN 13: 9780062207586

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2014

Synopsis

At the School of Charm, everyone has a wish to whisper. With an enchanting small-town setting, lively storytelling, and a hint of magic, this debut novel is perfect for fans of Ingrid Law, Clare Vanderpool, and Rebecca Stead.

Eleven-year-old Chip has always been her daddy's girl, so when he dies she pins her hopes on winning a beauty pageant to show her family of southern belles that she still belongs. But she'd rather be covered in mud than makeup! Can a rough-and-tumble girl ever become a beauty queen? A universal story about finding your place in the world, School of Charm explores themes of loss, family, and friendship.

About this title

Review:

"Poignant, inspiring debut novel of loss, belonging and being true to yourself."--Kirkus Reviews

."..Chip's growth is moving and relatable. The author also makes good use of her 1970s setting, incorporating Elvis's death and touching on racial tensions (one of Chip's fellow students at Miss Vernie's becomes the first black girl to enter the pageant) to give the story a strong sense of place."--Publishers Weekly

"Chip reminds me of Jo from Little Women, but the plot has Cinderella tones....Although [Miss Vernie's] the "fairy godmother," rather than working all the magic for Chip and Chip being basically helpless, she offers her guidance, and Chip makes her own luck. I can't wait to sell this book!"--Booklist

"[School of Charm] deals with universal themes such as emotional isolation, intergenerational conflict, self-knowledge, and grief. Simply written and engaging, the narrative gathers steam as it travels along to its satisfying conclusion."--Booklist

"The process of grieving and change is handled realistically in this satisfying novel."--School Library Journal

Poignant, inspiring debut novel of loss, belonging and being true to yourself. --Kirkus Reviews"

Chip s growth is moving and relatable. The author also makes good use of her 1970s setting, incorporating Elvis s death and touching on racial tensions (one of Chip s fellow students at Miss Vernie s becomes the first black girl to enter the pageant) to give the story a strong sense of place. --Publishers Weekly"

[School of Charm] deals with universal themes such as emotional isolation, intergenerational conflict, self-knowledge, and grief. Simply written and engaging, the narrative gathers steam as it travels along to its satisfying conclusion. --Booklist"

The process of grieving and change is handled realistically in this satisfying novel. --School Library Journal"

..".Chip's growth is moving and relatable. The author also makes good use of her 1970s setting, incorporating Elvis's death and touching on racial tensions (one of Chip's fellow students at Miss Vernie's becomes the first black girl to enter the pageant) to give the story a strong sense of place."--Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover:

Who' got time for hair curler and high heel when you're buy keeping baby turtle alive?

"Chip" has always been a tree-climbin', fish-catchin' daddy's girl. Then Daddy dies and Mama moves her and her sisters to Grandma's house. Now Chip is struggling to find her place in a family full of beauty queens.

Just when she wishes for a sign from Daddy that her new life's going to work, Chip finds Miss Vernie's quirky School of Charm. Could bizarre beauty lessons and peculiar pageant tricks be the key to making Chip's wishes a reality?

Full of spirit and hope, with a hint of magic, this enchanting debut novel tells the tale of one girl's struggle with a universal question: How do you stay true to yourself and find a way to belong at the same time?

About this edition

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 006220758X
• ISBN 13: 9780062207586
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304